Best to read this book immediately after Chanur’s Venture and immediately before Chanur’s Homecoming, as the three books are conceptually a single novel with some concessions to marketing realities. (It even ends with a little author’s essay discussing those marketing realities.)
Classic Cherryh: Stuff keeps happening, and eventually it almost begins to make sense. All the nonstop action and political intrigue that marks CJ’s best work. I’m still not entirely happy with the treatment the author’s giving Tully, who used to be a convincing character but now mostly keeps repeating “Friend.” Hopefully in Homecoming he’ll return to earlier form.
On the other hand, Hilfy’s growing up in all sorts of ways, and that’s interesting.
This short review was originally published on LibraryThing.